by Winding Pathways | Jul 13, 2017 | Chickens, Labyrinths, Wonderment
What fun hosting Bankers Trust staff and clients and welcoming an out of town visitor to the Phoenix Harmony Labyrinth. Tuesday, July 11 was steamy and threatening storms. But, the hardy crew engaged in lively discussions and asked probing questions about the more simple lifestyle we embrace at Winding Pathways. Now, simple does not mean easy. Tending a large yard and five circuit labyrinth are work. Rewarding work. And, people are curious about chickens, managing small gardens, maximizing space, retaining water on our property, heating with wood, and creating diversity that welcomes wildlife. Topics like ways to save energy which saves money to be invested or used caught their attention. And questions on managing pests like ground hogs and deer. We touched on a lot and had a great time.
Go to 1080 Labyrinth for a photo album of the afternoon and evening.
Then, with storms obviously to the south showing off cumulus and anvil clouds but no threat, all walked the Phoenix Harmony Labyrinth. Mike T’s comment summed it all up. As he and Terri entered the center a cool breeze touched their faces. Mike paused and said, “I never want to leave.”
Thanks Terri Doyle for organizing and promoting!
by Winding Pathways | Jul 4, 2017 | Labyrinths, Wonderment
Labyrinths come in many shapes and sizes. This spring and summer we’ve been busy re-designing and re-naming the 1080 Labyrinth. Now the Phoenix Harmony Labyrinth, it is five circuits and is honored in its center with a Bur Oak. Phoenix because we burn the labyrinth every year to promote the prairie plants and Phoenix because from the ashes we re-designed a dual entry Harmony labyrinth in the Lisa Gidlow Moriarty tradition.
Also, I’ve hosted walks with the most recent being in Duluth, MN, at the Outdoor Writers Association of America annual conference.
Enjoy the photo albums and reflections.
by Winding Pathways | Jul 3, 2017 | Wonderment
Summer in the upper Midwest has been pleasant and we are out and about!
Summer Flowers and Activity
And, Terry Pitts shared this video of an industrious bird making its nest. Likely a second brood.
by Winding Pathways | Jun 15, 2017 | Wonderment
The Bubble Gum Clouds!
This poem is in honor of memories at Grammy Gibbs’ home in Maine where my sister, Lucy, and I used to swing on the hammock in the summer watching the clouds. Yvonne Gibbs Fellows Perrault also took pictures of clouds and captured narratives and poems in small photo albums.
The Bubble Gum Clouds!
Oh, the Bubble Gum Clouds!
Come swing on the hammock
To the Bubble Gum Clouds!
The mushroom and billow
Like fluffy soft pillows.
The GROW and shrink
Until you think
They will disappear.
Then, they swirl and pop
Like they are really hot
And we get caught up
In our imagination!
Salmon and pink,
Dusty blue, black as ink.
There’s nothing better
Than a swing to the Bubble Gum Clouds
I think.
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Renewable energy
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Farming goes on.
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Through a haze.
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Stable air mass passes over land.
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White on blue
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Two air masses.
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Early morning storm.
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Rainbow
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Rose and purple sky.
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Capturing sunset over Cedar Lake, Iowa.
by Winding Pathways | Jun 10, 2017 | Birds, Nature, Wonderment
A male bluebird flies from the nest to bring back a snack for its mate.
Here’s a fun guest blog by friends, Gordon and Nancy, about their husbandry of birds on their “Little Acreage.”
“A few years ago my wife and I decided we wanted to attract wildlife to our little acreage. We already had deer and wild turkeys so we decided to try to attract some Bluebirds. We went on line to see where the best spot would be to place some houses to attract them.
“We then went to the Indian Creek Nature Center and bought a couple of houses. We felt that we needed the houses for bluebirds and the Center could use the donation. We placed four houses on the edge of the hay field.
“As time went on, all we saw were sparrows using the nest so we thought nothing would become of our houses. Then, a couple of years ago, a pair of Bluebirds started checking out the nest. But, we never found any eggs.
Four eggs! Photo: G&N Bena
“Earlier this year we looked in the house and nothing. A few days later we found these four eggs! What a great surprise for us. We now monitor the nest to watch the progress of our new friends.
Checking the other houses we found that a pair of wrens decided the house was satisfactory for their
Feeding Young. Photo: G&N Bena
new home and I think they have at least seven eggs. We will be monitoring this nest, also. The other two houses have nests but I think they are sparrow nest. We decided to leave them because they need a home, also.”
Gordon and Nancy
Editor’s Note: Sialis.org has a fascinating set of pictures showing the progression of raising and fledging Bluebird young.
by Winding Pathways | Jun 1, 2017 | Bugs, Nature, Wonderment
Reminiscing on some Haikus from the past. These seemed a good way to honor spring and welcome summer.
March
Quivering seed pods
Last year’s fruit, This year’s promise
Red buds produce life.
April
April ‘to Open’
Birds beckon, flowers unfold
Hope, re-birth, re-new.
May
Dampness Awakens.
Slow green shoots appear and grow.
Spring bursts in splendor.
How goes butterfly
So gaily in morning dew.
Quiet. Elusive.
Surf booms, with great roar.
Coquinas ride waves to rest
On white, clean beaches.
Pelicans I
Spring aerial art.
Wheeling, gliding all in sync
Pelicans migrate.
Pelicans II
Spring aerial art
Banks, wheel. Dive. Glide in sync
Pelicans migrate.
Mountain tall, distant
Shelters small creatures that live
In harmony there.
Laughter tumbles free,
From souls to the earth.
Children, living gifts.
Understand
Begin where we are
Understanding nuances
Plain talk ease nerves.
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Bleeding Hearts
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Wheeling overhead
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Rolling a log.
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Butterfly on flower
